Search

Caloglossa (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) is a globally distributed euryhaline red macroalgal genus. However, only a few Caloglossa species have been documented in permanent freshwater habitats. Here, a new Caloglossa species, Caloglossa fonticola sp. nov., is described and illustrated from an underground spring in Bama County, Guangxi, China, based on morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis. The new species is morphologically distinguishable from other species in the genus by a unique combination of character states, including thallus internodal blades linear, hardly or slightly constricted at nodes, adventitious branches and endogenous branches both absent, and unicellular rhizoids forming from clusters of wing cells arising from the first three axial cells of the main axis and lateral axis. Phylogenetic analysis based on rbcL and LSU rRNA DNA sequences indicated that Caloglossa fonticola was nested in a well-supported clade with Caloglossa bengalensis (Bootstrap supports for ML/posterior probabilities for BI: rbcL-98/1.00, LSU-100/1.00), with high sequence divergence between these two species (8.2–8.4% for rbcL and 3.2% for LSU), supporting its specific status. This is the first species of the genus Caloglossa reported in spring water habitats. The description of C. fonticola expands the known diversity of Caloglossa.

The genus Phycodrys is characterized by having a Phycodrys-type apical organization, a well-developed central midrib with paired lateral veins, monostromatic areas between the veins, four-celled carpogonial branches with two groups of sterile cells, and a cystocarp with a large fusion cell and short-catenated carposporangia. In contrast, the monospecific genus Nienburgella has a faint midrib, a mostly polystromatic blade without lateral veins, bilaterally isometric second-order cell row length, and Phycodrys-like apical growth and cystocarp. Nothing is known about Nienburgella’s procarp. We collected several specimens of Nienburgella angusta from the East Sea of South Korea and noticed that they resemble Phycodrys radicosa. We compared these two species using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Our results revealed that both species are closely related to one another than to other taxa in the tribe Phycodryeae, and that Nienburgella angusta procarp developmental pattern is the same as the one observed in Phycodrys rubens, the generitype species of Phycodrys. Thallus structure (mono- or polystromatic) was species-delimiting but not genus-delimiting. Bilateral second-order cell row isometry occurs in other Phycodrys species, including the type species. Therefore, we propose transferring the species Nienburgella angusta as well as the monospecific genus Nienburgella to Phycodrys.

The red alga Dasya sylviae C.W.Schneid., M.M.Cassidy & G.W.Saunders sp. nov. is described from mesophotic depths of 60–90 m off Bermuda. Genetic sequences (COI-5P, rbcL) and morphological characteristics show that this species is distinct from other known pseudodichotomous species of Dasya. Of ten current species in the genus reported from Bermuda, only three, D. collinsiana M.Howe, D. cryptica C.W.Schneid., Quach & C.E.Lane and D. punicea (Zanardini) Menegh., share the overall pattern of pseudodichotomous branching in their axes; however, key morphological features easily distinguish them from D. sylviae sp. nov. The species most similar in habit to D. sylviae sp. nov. is D. crouaniana J.Agardh (type locality West Indies), but it bears shorter pseudolateral branches, and broader and longer tetrasporangial stichidia than the new species. Unique among the species of Dasya, D. sylviae sp. nov. lacks post-sporangial cover cells in tetrasporangial stichidia.

The complete chloroplast genome of Chondria tumulosa, a red alga from Manawai (Pearl and Hermes Atoll), Hawai‘i, was determined and analyzed using next-generation sequencing and de novo assembly approaches. The chloroplast genome sequence of C. tumulosa was 172,617 bp and contained 231 genes, consisting of 197 protein-coding genes, 29 transfer RNA genes, three ribosomal RNA genes, one transfer-messenger RNA gene, one non-coding RNA gene, and one intron inserted into the trnM gene. The number of genes and genome structure was largely similar to other members of the family Rhodomelaceae. The phylogenomic analysis of 32 complete cpDNA from the red algal order Ceramiales showed that C. tumulosa is a distinct species within the Chondrieae tribe, and is a diverging early relative to the other three available Chondria chloroplast genomes.

Intertidal algae have to cope with diurnally and seasonally fluctuating environmental factors such as salinity, temperature, dehydration, and light. In New Zealand, solar radiation, including the ultraviolet wavelengths, is also an important stress factor for such algae. Therefore, two native (Bostrychia arbuscula W.H.Harvey [Ceramiales], Champia novae-zelandiae (J.D.Hooker & Harvey) Harvey [Rhodymeniales]) and one introduced red algal taxon (Schizymenia spp. J. Agardh [Nemastomatales]) were investigated over 12 months in terms of stress metabolites which contribute to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and salinity tolerance. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), which act as sunscreens, and organic osmolytes were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. Porphyra-334, shinorine, and palythine were the most dominant MAAs yet distributed differently among the species. B. arbuscula showed a correlation between photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)/UVR and slightly higher MAA concentrations in summer. In contrast, C. novae-zelandiae displayed the lowest level of MAAs in summer, and no correlation was found between MAA values and solar radiation. In Schizymenia spp., the highest MAA amounts were found in summer, and for most months, a correlation with PAR/UV radiation was visible. While digeneaside and sorbitol were the dominant organic osmolytes in B. arbuscula, floridoside occurred in C. novae-zelandiae and Schizymenia spp. Only B. arbuscula exhibited higher organic osmolyte concentrations in summer. In contrast, floridoside contents in C. novae-zelandiae and Schizymenia spp. were low and highly variable over the course of the seasons. Our data indicate that both native red algal species are well acclimated to the intertidal zone. For the introduced Schizymenia spp., a more narrow salinity tolerance can be assumed, while the high MAA values may explain its establishment in New Zealand.

Thallus of Laurencia obtusa of Rhodophyceae was studied and detailed micromorphological evaluation was done. Morphology of the thallus has been studied to aid pharmacognostic and phytochemical evidences to aid in taxonomic species identification. Parameters presented in this paper may be proposed to establish the authenticity of this red alga and can possibly help to differentiate this alga from its other species. Since the collections were made in the month of March, Laurencia was with few gametophytic thalli . The study revealed several interesting anatomical characters and its cellular details.

Liberated tetraspores and carpospores of mature plants of Laurencia sp. 1 collected from Kyaikkhami (Lat. 16° 05′ N, Long. 97°34′E) and Setse (Lat. 15°52′ N, Long. 97° 8′ E) coastal areas had been cultured at temperature 25°C under 16L:8D photoperiod using PES medium in 20 ‰ salinity. The development of tetrasporelings in the laboratory cultures stopped after 30 days, whereas that of carposporelings stopped after 20 day. Both tetraspores and carpospores germinate into bipolar sporelings with erect shoot and colourless rhizoidal filaments in Laurencia sp. 1. Moreover, the germination pattern of tetraspores was similar with that of carpospores. However, the growth rate of carposporelings was slower than tetrasporelings. In the present study, the germling stages of both tetraspore and carpospore showed the Fucus type of the germination pattern. The developmental stages of tetraspore and carpospore germination of Laurencia sp. 1 were briefly described.

In the course of floristic studies, we succeeded in finding Asterocolax denticulatus (Delesseriaceae: Ceramiales: Rhodophyta) in the Pacific waters near the coast of Kamchatka for the first time. This alga is an adelphoparasite that colonizes other algae of the family Delesseriaceae. The studied species is briefly characterized and illustrated and its distribution range is determined.

Martensia incipiens sp. nov. is described from the Sultanate of Oman, based upon collections made in the Governate of Dhofar, Northern Arabian Sea. The type locality is Sadah. The delicate blades display a dazzling iridescence with pink to lilac colors in the living condition. The distinguishing morphological feature of this novel species is that the latticework is confined to a very narrow marginal fringe, consisting of vertical files of only six to nine cells in length and without any cross-links between the vertical files. Putative young tetrasporangial sori have a scattered arrangement over the blades.

An updated checklist of the red seaweeds (Rhodophyta), excluding the order Ceramiales, of the Greek coasts is provided, based on literature records, critically reviewed from present-day taxonomic and nomenclatural aspects. The total number of genera, species and infraspecific taxa currently accepted is 78, 138 and 4 respectively. The occurrence of each taxon in the North Aegean, South Aegean and Ionian Seas is given. Knowledge gaps are pointed, with 57 taxa pending confirmation of their presence marked. Moreover, 13 excludenda and 12 inquirenda taxa are briefly discussed. In overall, a solid updated baseline of the Rhodophyta (excluding Ceramiales) taxa occurence in Greece is provided, critical for future tailor-targeting seaweed studies., U radu autori prikazuju ažurirani popis crvenih morskih algi grčkih obala (Rhodophyta), isklju-čujući red Ceramiales, koji se temelji na literaturnim zapisima, te je kritički pregledan s današnjih taksonomskih i nomenklaturnih aspekata. Ukupan broj rodova, vrsta i infraspecifičnih taksona koji su trenutno prihvaćeni je 78, 138 i 4, respektivno.Prikazana je pojava svake svojte u sjevernom i južnom Egejskom moru i u Jonskom moru. Uoče-ne su praznine u znanju, tj. s 57 taksona koji čekaju potvrdu njihove prisutnosti. Štoviše, ukratko se raspravlja o 13 isključenih i 12 ispitivanih svojti. U cjelini, osigurana je čvrsta ažurirana osnovica pojavljivanja Rhodophyta (isključujući Ceramiales) u Grčkoj, što je presudno za buduće studije usmjerene na ciljane vrste.

Studies of the Laurencia complex based on phylogenetic and DNA barcoding analyses revealed a new species, Laurencia longiramea Cassano, G.N. Santos, J.M.C. Nunes, M.C. Oliveira & M.T. Fujii sp. nov...

The number of species in the genus Symphyocladia was recently increased, with the majority of new species found in the Pacific Ocean. Based on molecular analysis, eight species of Symphyocladia for...

Anotrichium tenue is a red algal species of the family Wrangeliaceae widely distributed in the Mediterranean Sea and reported in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Mediterranean and extra-Mediterranean specimens can have similar vegetative and tetrasporangial characters, but they can also be morphologically distinct. In fact, they can have a different number of pedicels per nodal cell and/or a different disposition of tetrasporangia on pedicels. Specimens showing extra-Mediterranean tetrasporangial features were assigned to separate species, subgenera and/or varieties, but the discrimination between these different taxa is still problematic. To solve this taxonomic issue, in this study, we analysed samples of A. tenue from the type locality in Venice (Italy) using the plastidial rbcL and psbA genes as molecular markers, and we compared our results with sequences of A. tenue from Korea. The Venetian entity was genetically different from the Korean ones and most likely represents the genuine A. tenue species.

The plants of Laurencia sp. 1 were collected from Nyaw Byin (Lat. 13˚40′N, Long. 98˚00′E) to Sittwe (Lat. 20˚08′ N, Long. 92˚54′E) of Myanmar from 1987 to 2019. Laurencia sp.1 was characterized by the absence of corps en cerise within each superficial cortical cell, and lenticular thickenings in the walls of medullary cells, and the presence of secondary pit-connections between cortical cells, four pericentral cells per axial segment and tetrasporangia formed in the apical portion of the lateral axis with a parallel arrangement and cystocarps with one or more ostioles, based on the external and internal morphologies of both the vegetative and reproductive structures. The distribution and some ecological notes along with potential uses of this species were briefly described.

Dipterocladia yongdeokkoi sp. nov. was collected at depths of 6–15 m at three locations at Jeju Island, Korea: Biyangdo, Hado and Shinchang. All plants were vegetative without reproductive structures. For two years in laboratory culture, plants were consistently vegetative. Cultured plants formed single-celled diaspores and multicellular propagules that grew into mature plants. Dipterocladia yongdeokkoi is distinguished by its flattened thallus arising from a thick, cylindrical stipe, compressed axes, irregular branches and alternately pinnate determinate adventitious laterals and pseudolaterals. Analyses of mitochondrial cox1, plastid rbcL, and nuclear small subunit (SSU) sequences support the monophyly of Dipterocladia and the distinctness of D. yongdeokkoi from other species of Dipterocladia.

Background: Over the course of approximately 12 years, the species of the Laurencia complex have been systematically studied in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean, showing high diversity (48 species), which has been underestimated for the coast of Venezuela. Questions: What is the species diversity of the Laurencia complex in Venezuela? Studied species: Chondrophycus anabeliae , Laurencia digitata . Study site and dates: Cayo Muerto, Parque Nacional Morrocoy, Estado Falcón, Venezuela, 2015. Methods: For molecular studies, the plastid rbc L gene and the mitochondrial DNA barcode marker COI-5P were used, combined with the study of current morpho-anatomical characters used for the identification of the species of the complex. Results: The occurrence of Chondrophycus , as currently circumscribed, was confirmed for the first time for Venezuela. Chondrophycus anabeliae and Laurencia digitata are reported for the first time beyond the type localities. Tetrasporophytes are described for the first time for L. digitata . Conclusions: Our findings expand the geographic distribution of Ch. anabeliae and L. digitata for the Venezuelan Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean, respectively.

There are over 120 species of red algal parasites (Florideophyceae) but they are often overlooked due to their small size and patchy distribution. Red algal parasites have mostly been described as independent genera but recent phylogenetic studies have shown that parasites are related to free-living relatives, often their hosts, and have been named in these genera to maintain monophyly. We investigated the morphology, distribution and phylogeny, using diverse molecular markers (mitochondrial, nuclear, plastid), of three new red algal parasites in New Zealand. We describe the parasites using morphological and anatomical observations and estimate their distribution by surveying herbarium vouchers. Analyses of reproductive structures and molecular phylogenies indicate that the closest relative of the parasite Phycodrys novae-zelandiaephila sp. nov. is its host, Phycodrys novae-zelandiae. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial markers, the closest relative of the parasite Cladhymenia oblongifoliaphila sp...

A new species of Olpidiopsis, which infects dasyaceaen algae in Korea, is established. This endoparasite was first collected from Heterosiphonia pulchra, thus we named it O. heterosiphoniae. The infection process and asexual life history of O. heterosiphoniae were similar to previously reported Olpidiopsis species except for the cell type-specific infection in its host. The infection occurred mainly at the distal cells of determinate branches and was rarely observed in the other parts of the filament. The pathogen was transferred to another host, Heterosiphonia japonica, and the host-parasite dual culture has been kept in the laboratory for more than ten years since it was collected in May 2006. Up to 15 sporangia of 20–100 μm in size developed in a single infected host cell. One sporangium contained between 8 and 128 zoospores at maturity. Zoospores were kidney-shaped, 3–4 μm in size, with two laterally inserted flagella. Multigene analyses combining 18S rRNA, cox1 and cox2 genes showed that O. heterosiphoniae belonged to the lineage infecting filamentous red algae from the orders Ceramiales and Bonnemaisoniales. Epidemiological studies in Pyropia farms in Korea showed that O. heterosiphoniae may not be a main causative agent of Olpidiopsis blight in sea farms, although it is able to occasionally infect gametophyte blades of Pyropia tenera.

Sequence data (COI-5P and rbcL) for North American members of the tribe Pterosiphonieae were compared with collections from around the world. Phylogenetic analyses resolved Pterosiphonia as polyphyletic and many species required transfer to other genera. In our analyses Pterosiphonia sensu stricto included only the type species P. cloiophylla (C. Agardh) Falkenberg and P. complanata (Clemente) Falkenberg, as well as the South African species P. stegengae sp. nov. A new genus, Xiphosiphonia gen. nov., was described for X. ardreana (Maggs & Hommersand) comb. nov., X. pennata (C. Agardh) comb. nov., and X. pinnulata (Kützing) comb. nov. Some Asian, European and North American species previously attributed to Pterosiphonia were transferred to Symphyocladia including S. baileyi (Harvey) comb. nov., S. dendroidea (Montagne) comb. nov., S. plumosa nom. nov. (for P. gracilis Kylin), and S. tanakae (S. Uwai & M. Masuda) comb. nov. We also described two new North American species, Symphyocladia brevicaulis sp. nov. and S. rosea sp. nov. Other species formed a well-supported clade for which the genus name Polyostea Ruprecht was resurrected. Included in Polyostea were P. arctica (J. Agardh) comb. nov., P. bipinnata (Postels & Ruprecht) Ruprecht, P. hamata (E.S. Sinova) comb. nov., and P. robusta (N.L. Gardner) comb. nov.

Recent phylogenetic studies of the genus Pterosiphonia suggest that Pterosiphonia dendroidea and Pterosiphonia tanakae are conspecific and show its wide geographic distribution in the Pacific. Pterosiphonia dendroidea was originally described as Polysiphonia dendroidea from Peru and later transferred to Pterosiphonia. Pterosiphonia dendroidea was characterized by diagnostic features such as its light cortication, the presence of trichoblasts, 8–12 pericentral cells, branches with the production of 3- to 5-order laterals, and congenital fusion of 2–3 segments. Pterosiphonia tanakae shares these features. Our phylogenetic analysis using rbcL sequences reveals a low gene sequence divergence (0.5%–0.7%) between the samples of P. dendroidea and P. tanakae. We propose that P. tanakae is a later synonym of P. dendroidea, and our study indicates the wide distribution of P. dendroidea in the northern and the southern Pacific Ocean.

Background. As part of the monographic studies on the Laurencia complex (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) from Cuba, detailed taxonomic research was carried out on Laurencia coelenterata, a diminutive species collected in Santiago de Cuba, in the eastern Cuban archipelago. The vegetative and reproductive features of the species clearly belong to the genus Osmundea, a member of the Laurencia complex: two pericentral cells per each vegetative axial segment, tetrasporangia cut off randomly from cortical cells, and filament-type spermatangial branches. Goals. In this study the morphological characteristics previously unknown to Laurencia coelenterata are shown, and in order that their taxonomic position within the Laurencia complex is discussed. Furthermore, the global geographic distribution of the Osmundea species is analysed. Methods. Morphological and molecular analysis of the rbcL gene sequences were performed allied with the preparation and interpretation of phylogenetic hypotheses. Results. The new morphological analysis of the paratype specimen (# 4451) housed in the Puertorriqueno Marine Herbarium showed that Laurencia coelenterata was incorrectly placed in the genus Laurencia. The phylogenetic position of the present species was inferred by the analysis of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene sequences, and the range of the genetic variation found in this analysis also supports the transfer of Laurencia coelenterata to the genus Osmundea, as O. coelenterata (D. L. Ballantine et Aponte) M.T. Fujii, Senties et Areces. Conclusions. The morphological and molecular approach in algal taxonomy is allowing consolidate the nomenclatural status of the species, and the new combination for Laurencia coelenterata as Osmundea coelenterata is not an exception.

We provide the first detailed description of the tetrasporophyte of the red algal species Monosporus indicus Borgesen (Wrangeliaceae, Ceramiales) and its first record from the Mediterranean Sea. This prostrate, filamentous epiphytic species, which has been recorded from tropical and subtropical locations in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, has invaded and established healthy populations in the warm Levant Mediterranean Sea of Israel. Plants invariably have propagules and are rarely observed with tetrasporangia. With the description of tetrasporangia in M. indicus, doubt is cast on the integrity of the genus Desikacharyella because their presence as well as sexual reproduction was used to separate that genus from Monosporus.

The red alga Schmitzia hiscockiana Maggs & Guiry is reported for Brittany for the first time. Our finding point to the southernmost limit of geographic distribution of this species. Molecular sequences (COI-5P, psbA, rbcL and LSU) are provided for the species and molecular phylogeny resolved Schmitzia hiscockiana along with two unidentified australian species of Schmitzia as sister to the lineage encompassing the Acrosymphytales and the Ceramiales.

This study aimed to compare the effects of increasing concentrations of cadmium (Cd) on the growth rates, content of photosynthetic pigments, and ultrastructure of Palisada flagellifera (J. Agardh) K. W. Nam (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta). Plants were cultivated under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 70 μmol photons m−2 s−1 with 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10 20, 40, and 60 μM of cadmium (CdCl2) for 7 days. Subsequently, the apical segments of P. flagellifera were analyzed under transmission microscopy, and both growth rates and photosynthetic pigments were measured. Growth rates in P. flagellifera samples gradually decreased with the increasing concentration of Cd in culture medium. Palisada flagellifera exposed to 20, 40, and 60 μM of Cd showed thallus bleaching and partial necrosis. Damage to thylakoid membranes and discoloration, as well as reduced phycobiliproteins, were more evident at concentrations of Cd higher than 40 µM. Palisada flagellifera samples treated with Cd also showed cell wall thickness triggered by the activation of mechanical defense mechanisms to prevent entry of Cd into the cytoplasm, as well as the increase of chlorophyll a content. Overall, these results indicate that exposure to cadmium in concentrations exceeding 40 µM is sublethal to P. flagellifera.

Two macroalgal taxa are reported for the first time from Morocco: Ceramium cornutum and Ceramium pallidum (Ceramiaceae: Ceramiales). The last species is also reported for the first time from Africa. Specimens of both taxa were collected in the lower intertidal to subtidal zones from different localities in northwest Morocco. These new records, are examined in detail and compared with congeners such as Ceramium cimbricum, Ceramium diaphanum, Ceramium tenerrimum and Ceramium virgatum. Both morphological features and reproductive structures are given; illustrations, habitat, geographic distribution and taxonomic remarks for each species are also provided. In this paper new data are provided for C. cornutum, especially number of periaxial cells and type of rhizoids.

We examined the constitution of Laurencia mariannensis collected from the east coast of Tean Island, Thailand. The structure of a new brominated rearranged cyclolaurane-type sesquiterpene, named teanol (1), is reported. This is the first report on biology and chemistry of the Thailand red algal genus Laurencia (Rhodomelaceae, Ceramiales).

Antecedentes y Objetivos: El conocimiento de la ficoflora en el estado de Tabasco es escaso. Hasta el momento se tienen 39 registros de Rhodophyta, 7 de Ochrophyta y 22 de Chlorophyta. Además, a nivel nacional es el estado costero con el menor número de publicaciones sobre el tema. Se desarrolló el presente trabajo para contribuir al conocimiento de la flora algal del estado, particularmente al de Rhodophyta.Métodos: Se revisó material procedente de los herbarios de la Facultad de Ciencias (FCME) de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) y de la Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (UJAT). Se llevaron a cabo dos periodos de muestreo en temporada de lluvias y secas del año 2012, en siete localidades del litoral tabasqueño. El material recolectado fue preservado en formol a 4%. Se realizaron observaciones de talos completos y cortes con microscopios estereoscópico y óptico. La identificación se llevó a cabo con literatura especializada.Resultados clave: Se reportan 12 nuevos registros de especies de algas rojas marinas para la costa de Tabasco pertenecientes a 11 géneros, 9 familias y 8 órdenes. En total para Tabasco se presentan 52 especies, 32 géneros, 17 familias y 10 órdenes. Los órdenes con mayor riqueza específica fueron Ceramiales y Gracilariales con 24 y 9 especies, respectivamente. Las familias con mayor número de especies fueron Rhodomelaceae y Gracilariaceae con 14 y 8 ocho cada una. El género más diverso fue Gracilaria, con ocho especies.Conclusiones: El número de algas marinas rojas reportadas en Tabasco asciende de 39 a 52 especies, lo que representa 20% de las especies de Rhodophyta registradas para el Golfo de México.

Este artículo contiene 6 páginas, 5 figuras, 1 tabla., Acrothamnion preissii is an invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea, and is listed among the 100 worst non-indigenous species. In July and August 2009, this non-native red macroalga was found for the first time in the Azores (on Santa Maria), and this represents the first record of this species in the Atlantic. Here, we describe the establishment of this invasive species in the Atlantic. In recent surveys, A. preissii displayed an invasive behaviour. As suggested for the Mediterranean Sea, hull fouling is the most likely vector for its introduction into the Azores., Part of this study was financed by regional funds throughout Secretaria Regional do Mar, Ciência e Tecnologia (SRMCT) in the scope of the projects ASMAS (M2.1.2/I/032/2011), PIMA (3/DRAM/2015) and BALA (2/DRAM/2015) by FEDER funds through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the scope of the projects no. FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037300 (FCT PEst-C/BIA/ UI0609/2013), LusoMarbol (PTDC/MAR/69892/2006) and MACROBIOMOL (PTDC/MAR/114613/2009).

Specimens of Palisada iridescens (Rhodomelaceae) were studied morphologically and molecularly from the Mexican Caribbean. The phylogenetic position of this species was inferred by analysis of chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene sequences of 42 taxa, using one ceramiacean and four rhodomelacean taxa as outgroups. Molecular phylogenetic results corroborate the taxonomy of Laurencia sensu lato, which comprises the genera Chondrophycus, Laurencia, Laurenciella, Palisada, Osmundea, and Yuzurua. We propose the new combination Yuzurua iridescens (M.J. Wynne & D.L. Ballantine) Senties & M.J. Wynne for P. iridescens. We describe and illustrate morphological characteristics of Y. iridescens, comparing it with related species and also inferring its phylogenetic position. Observations on male plants are described for the first time for Y. iridescens.

A total of 142 specimens of Ceramiales (Rhodophyta) were collected each month from October 2011 to November 2012 in the intertidal zone of the northwestern Yellow Sea. These specimens covered 21 species, 14 genera, and four families. Cluster analyses show that the specimens had a high diversity for the three DNA markers, namely, partial large subunit rRNA gene (LSU), universal plastid amplicon (UPA), and partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI). No intraspecific divergence was found in our collection for these markers, except for a 1–3 bp divergence in the COI of Ceramium kondoi, Symphyocladia latiuscula, and Neosiphonia japonica. Because short DNA markers were used, the phylogenetic relationships of higher taxonomic levels were hard to evaluate with poor branch support. More than half species of our collection failed to find their matched sequences owing to shortage information of DNA barcodes for macroalgae in GenBank or BOLD (Barcode of Life Data) Systems. Three specimens were presumed as Heterosiphonia crispella by cluster analyses on DNA barcodes assisted by morphological identification, which was the first record in the investigated area, implying that it might be a cryptic or invasive species in the coastal area of northwestern Yellow Sea. In the neighbor-joining trees of all three DNA markers, Heterosiphonia japonica converged with Dasya spp. and was distant from the other Heterosiphonia spp., implying that H. japonica had affinities to the genus Dasya. The LSU and UPA markers amplified and sequenced easier than the COI marker across the Ceramiales species, but the COI had a higher ability to discriminate between species.

Little is known about the morphology and location of macromolecules, especially proteins and carbohydrates, in vegetative and reproductive structures of mangrove species, including Bostrychia radicans. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of tetrasporogenesis in B. radicans, cytochemical, structural and ultrastructual analyses were performed. Thalli were collected from mangroves in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Fertile branches were fixed and processed for light microscopy (LM), confocal microcopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. The LM sections were stained with toluidine blue, periodic acid-Schiff and Coomassie brilliant blue. Tetrasporogenesis occurs in the pericentral cells of the terminal branches. This process is initially characterized by an increase in cell volume, resulting from the proliferation of organelles. The young tetrasporangia remain connected to the basal cell by pit connections. After a considerable increase in volume, the tetrasporocytes divide tetrahedrally, giving rise to haploid spores. During this process, there is an increasing production of starch grains, causing the organelles to group. As the organelles proliferate, the plasma membrane undergoes simultaneous invaginations toward the tetrasporangium center. The most conspicuous organelle throughout tetrasporogenesis was the Golgi complex. Polysaccharidic components are predominant in the tetrasporangium cell wall throughout tetrasporogenesis. Although protein components prevail in the cytoplasm of younger tetrasporangia, there is a predominance of reserve material with maturation. In the initial phase, there is an increase in the number of chloroplasts and a significant increment of Golgi bodies which contribute to the formation of the amorphous portion of the cell wall and possibly the biosynthesis of starch grains.